Through the unique mountain world of the Eastern Carpathians, far away from civilization. You explore the volcanic Harghita Mountains along the main ridge of the Carpathians with its untouched primeval forests, species-rich flowering herb meadows and endless pastures. The route leads around St. Ana's Lakelake, the only volcanic crater lake in Eastern Europe. The horses are sure-footed, relaxed Lippizander Mix horses that live outside all year round. Luggage is transported by off-road vehicle and the horses are camped in the middle of nature at beautiful campsites, far away from civilization. Romantic evenings around the campfire with guitar music and delicious, typical local meals prepared over the fire round off this very special trail ride. The Carpathian Adventure Trail is just the thing for anyone looking for a trail with a real sense of adventure in Europe.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Gheorgheni in the afternoon and off-road tour to the farm in the mountains. The 120-year-old, originally preserved Csango Farm and the rustic log cabins are idyllically nestled in a picturesque mountain landscape. If you wish, you can pay a visit to the horses that live outside around the farm all year round. After an eco-friendly evening meal, a cozy bed awaits you in an oven-heated room.

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, you will set off on a short test ride to familiarize yourself with your horse and equipment. The trail takes you through mountain streams and across idyllic meadows to the summit of "Magas Bükk", where, after a lunch break, we return through spruce forests to our home at farm to ride. Afterwards, you will receive brief instructions on setting up the tents before a bathing tub filled with salt water invites you to relax. From there you can enjoy a magnificent mountain panorama with a glowing red sunset in good weather. (approx. 2 hours riding time).

Day 3: After a hearty breakfast, it's time to pack the saddlebags and clean and saddle the horses. Your adventure begins! The first riding stage leads uphill slow . You fill your water bottle at a clear stream and cool down the horses. The route continues mainly through forests. Around midday you reach mountain Sipos (1,568 m), where you can stop for lunch and enjoy a beautiful view of the northern part of the Harghita Mountains. In the afternoon you will reach a plateau, which will be your camp for the night. You set up camp on the summer pasture of the shepherds and prepare your dinner over the fire. (approx. 3.5 hours riding time)
 
Day 4: You turn back to the plateau back and to rear slow descend again. You reach river Maros, which you have to cross. Here, the Harghita Mountains stretch out before your feet and the route leads uphill again. The first summit you reach is at around 1,153m. The lunch break promises another beautiful view, this time over the Gheorgheni Basin and the Görgenyi Mountains. Well rested to ride you continue in the direction of "Devil's Lake", near which you set up camp for the night on a hidden meadow . While dinner is simmering in the cauldron, you take a short walk to the lake's moor. (approx. 5 hours riding time)
 
Day 5: Today is probably the longest day of the tour, as you will climb the highest peaks on the route, Fertö (1,589m) and Madarasi (1,801m). Today you will explore mountain passes, blossoming meadows with panoramic views and fragrant forests where you can often spot fresh bear tracks! Tonight you will spend the night in a beautiful guesthouse. (approx. 6.5 hours riding time)
 
Day 6: Today you will cross the Rákosi Hargita (1,756 m) to the village of Bad Hargita, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, wide, puszta-like plains await you, offering opportunities for a brisk gallop. (approx. 5.5 hours riding time)
 
Day 7: In the morning you cross the peat bog of Lucs and reach Szent Imrei at a leisurely trot and then the summit of Kakukk (1,557m). The landscape changes here. The pine forests through which you have ridden so far are replaced by light, friendly beech forests. Your overnight camp today is near a traditional mountain hut, where you can watch the shepherds milking and taste the tasty sheep's cheese. (approx. 6 hours riding time)
 
Day 8: You ride over a mountain ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks, which are up to 2,500 m high. In the afternoon, you cross the river Alt. Today you will spend the night in a guesthouse near Tusnad Fürdö. (approx. 4.5 hours riding time)
 
Day 9: Today is a riding free day. You will visit St. Ana'slake, the Devil's Moor and a sulphur cave.
In the evening, a very special experience awaits you: on a bear safari, you can observe the native brown bears in their natural habitat. You will spend the night in the guesthouse again.
 
Day 10: As always, the day begins with breakfast. Then you get back on the saddle. Today you to ride near the Büdös mountain. This area is very rich in sulphur, which can also be seen in
you can smell in the air. Along the Buffogó Moor you ride up into the mountains, partly on winding, steep paths, and reach a plateau that invites you for a gallop. (approx. 5.5 hours riding)
 
Day 11: You leave your campsite across colorful meadows and heaths with views of the valleys and mountains all around. In the afternoon you ride back to your campsite, mainly through pine forests. (approx. 6 hours riding time)
 
Day 12: Today you will reach something more civilized and cultivated again countryside and see well-tended pastures, farmers tilling the fields with their horses and grazing cattle. (approx. 5.5 hours riding time)
 
Day 13: Today you will probably see some shepherds out and about with their animals on the alpine meadows. Again and again you will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of mountains, streams and valleys. (approx. 5 hours riding time)
 
Day 14: A few more adventures await you on your last day of riding. You will have to walk the horses over some steep, rocky sections to lead. Then you ride back one last time through the idyllic mountain landscape and over the Pongrácz Tetö (1321m) to farm . Your hosts are already waiting for you with a farewell party. Overnight stay at farm. ( approx. 3 hours riding time)
 
Day 15: After breakfast, an off-road vehicle will take you safely back to valley in Gheorgheni, from where you will start your journey home.

Accomodation
3 nights on a mountain farm in stove-heated multi-bed rooms. 2 nights in a comfortable guesthouse with showers, heating and electricity. For the 8 nights in tents, both single and double tents are available. You will gain a very authentic insight into the rural life of the locals. This adventure ride requires the help of all participants during the ride, especially in the tent camp. The tents have to be set up, the horses have to be looked after, firewood has to be collected, food has to be cooked, etc. The food is plentiful, typical of the country and mostly regional and organic.

Saddle & Tack: German military saddles with panniers.

Experience: You should be comfortable in all gaits and have trail experience. This is a mountain trail, so the pace is generally rather calm, but there are also trotting and cantering opportunities. You ride between 4-6.5 hours a day. Max. Rider weight 90 kg.

Horses: Lipizzaner, Lipizzaner mix and mountain ponies, height between 1.35 and 1.70 m, the horses live outside all year round, are very balanced, sure-footed and reliable